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Funeral for slain officer could be held this week

A funeral honoring slain Maplewood police sergeant Joseph Bergeron will likely be held later this week. His fellow officers say he'll be remembered as a true public servant.

Maplewood Police Chief Dave Thomalla counted Bergeron as a friend, and said the cop known as "Joey" had become part of the community he served.

"Sergeant Bergeron has just been a solid officer for 26 years," Thomalla said. "He was the type of person that never expected praise for anything he did, or rewards. He was just very content doing his job serving the people, and being part of the people. He enjoyed just being out communicating with the public and helping them with anything he could."

Speaking to Minnesota Public Radio Monday morning, Thomalla said Bergeron's death has touched many lives already.

"He had a very large family. I believe he had 11 brothers and sisters, and there is a law enforcement history in his background," he said. "And he was very well known, throughout White Bear Lake, you know growing up and going to school there, throughout high school and then college, and had many friends in the White Bear Lake area, and continued to live there as his family grew."

A 21-year-old St. Paul man could face charges as early as Monday for Bergeron's slaying. Another suspect was killed during a manhunt this weekend. Bergeron was shot to death searching for a carjacking suspect early Saturday.